When an employee is experiencing difficulties at work, it is not always obvious what is causing the problem or what support would make the greatest difference.
AptoLink provides specialist workplace assessments for employers, HR and People teams, helping organisations understand the barriers an employee is experiencing and identify practical ways to support them.
Our assessments look at the employee in the context of their actual role, working environment and day-to-day responsibilities. We then provide clear recommendations for appropriate workplace adjustments, which may include ergonomic equipment, assistive technology, specialist software, changes to working practices, coaching or training.
Where required, AptoLink can also help employers implement those recommendations.
A workplace assessment is a structured review of an employee’s working situation to understand where they may be experiencing barriers and what practical support could help.
This can include:
The aim is to give both the employee and employer a clearer understanding of what is making work more difficult and what can realistically be changed.
When Might an Employer Need a Workplace Assessment?
A workplace assessment is a structured review of an employee’s working situation to understand where they may be experiencing barriers and what practical support could help.
You do not need to know exactly which solution is required before contacting AptoLink. Identifying the appropriate support is part of the assessment process.
What Happens During a Workplace Assessment?
AptoLink’s assessments are centred on the individual employee and the demands of their role. The assessor will discuss the difficulties the employee is experiencing and consider how their working environment, technology, tasks and working practices may be contributing.
Understanding the Employee’s Role
We start by understanding what the employee actually needs to do.
Two people with the same condition may have completely different workplace requirements because their roles, responsibilities and working environments are different.
An employee who spends much of the day analysing written information may require different support from someone whose role involves frequent meetings, telephone calls, physical tasks or project management.
Identifying Workplace Barriers
The assessment explores where difficulties are occurring.
These may relate to:
The focus is on the practical impact within the employee’s role.
Considering Existing Support
We also look at any adjustments, technology or equipment already in place.
Sometimes relatively small changes can improve an existing set-up. In other cases, a different approach or additional support may be required.
What Will the Employer Receive?
Following the workplace assessment, AptoLink provides clear recommendations explaining what support may be appropriate.
The recommendations are designed to give HR, managers and the employee a practical route forward rather than simply documenting the problems identified.
Where appropriate, AptoLink can also support the employer with the next stage of implementation.
Depending on the assessment, recommendations may include:
Workplace Assessments and Reasonable Adjustments
Employers are often aware that they need to consider reasonable adjustments but may be unsure what those adjustments should look like in practice.
A workplace assessment can help bridge that gap.
Rather than relying on a generic list of adjustments associated with a particular condition, the assessment considers the employee’s individual circumstances and the requirements of their role.
This can help employers make more informed decisions about appropriate support.
Different Types of Workplace Assessment
Not every workplace difficulty requires the same assessment. AptoLink provides a range of workplace assessments depending on the employee’s needs and the nature of the difficulty.
Workplace Needs Assessments
A broader assessment of the employee’s role, workplace barriers and support requirements. This may lead to recommendations for adjustments, equipment, technology, coaching or training.
DSE and Workstation Assessments
Designed for employees who use display screen equipment and may be experiencing problems associated with seating, screens, desks, posture or workstation layout.
Ergonomic Assessments
A more detailed assessment where musculoskeletal discomfort, posture, equipment or the physical working environment may be contributing to difficulties.
Neurodiversity and Workplace Support
For neurodivergent employees experiencing barriers associated with areas such as concentration, organisation, information processing, communication or workplace systems.
If you are unsure which assessment is appropriate, contact AptoLink and we can help identify the best starting point.
Workplace Assessments Following Occupational Health Recommendations
Occupational Health may recommend that an employee receives further assessment, specialist equipment, assistive technology or workplace adjustments.
Where required, we can carry out a more detailed workplace assessment and identify appropriate:
This gives employers a clearer route from an Occupational Health recommendation to actual implementation.
Assistive Technology and Software Recommendations
Assistive technology can be extremely effective when it addresses a clearly identified workplace need.
AptoLink has extensive experience in assistive technology and specialist software, but our approach is not to recommend technology simply because it is associated with a particular condition. We first establish the barrier the employee is experiencing. We can then consider whether technology could help and, if so, which type of solution is appropriate.
Recommendations may include technology supporting:
Where required, AptoLink can also provide the training needed to help the employee use the technology effectively within their role.
More Than an Assessment Report
One of the advantages of using AptoLink is that our support does not have to end when the assessment is completed.
We can help employers move through the complete process:
Assess
Recommend
Implement
Train & Support
This may include sourcing or advising on suitable technology, providing specialist software training, delivering coping strategy coaching or helping the employee use recommended tools effectively.
For employers, this creates a more joined-up approach to workplace support.
Workplace Assessments for HR and People Teams
For HR and People teams, workplace assessments provide an independent way of understanding an employee’s needs and identifying appropriate workplace support.
This can be particularly useful when:
AptoLink can work directly with HR, managers, Occupational Health contacts and the employee to help ensure that recommendations are practical and clearly understood.
Multiple Workplace Assessments
Larger employers may have more than one employee requiring assessment.
Where several assessments are needed, AptoLink can discuss the most practical way of organising them.
Where appropriate, multiple in-person assessments can be arranged during the same site visit, helping employers manage the process efficiently while maintaining an individual approach for each employee.
Remote and In-Person Workplace Assessments
Depending on the circumstances, workplace assessments can be carried out remotely or in person.
An in-person assessment can be particularly useful where the physical working environment, workstation or equipment needs to be reviewed directly.
Remote assessments may be appropriate where the employee works from home or where the assessment is focused primarily on working practices, technology or other non-physical barriers.
We can advise which approach is most appropriate.
Why Choose AptoLink for Workplace Assessments?
AptoLink has more than 25 years’ experience supporting people with workplace barriers, assistive technology and workplace adjustments. Our knowledge extends beyond carrying out the assessment itself.
We understand the equipment, software, assistive technology, coaching and training that may be recommended afterwards, allowing us to make practical recommendations based on how solutions work in real workplaces.
For employers, that means:
Frequently Asked Questions About Workplace Assessments
Workplace assessments are commonly arranged by employers, HR departments, People teams, managers or Occupational Health professionals. Employees may also raise the need for an assessment with their employer.
Not necessarily. A workplace assessment is focused on the barriers an employee is experiencing in their role and what support may help. A formal diagnosis may provide useful context, but it is not always required before workplace difficulties can be assessed.
No. Occupational Health and workplace assessments have different roles. Occupational Health primarily considers the relationship between an employee’s health and their work. AptoLink focuses on identifying practical workplace barriers and recommending adjustments, equipment, technology, coaching or training.
Yes. Depending on what is recommended, AptoLink can support employers with assistive technology, software, training, coaching and other workplace solutions.
Yes. If several employees require assessments, contact us to discuss the requirements. Where practical, multiple assessments can be coordinated for the organisation.
Speak to AptoLink About a Workplace Assessment
If you are an employer, HR professional or People manager concerned about an employee who is experiencing barriers at work, contact AptoLink.
You do not need to know exactly what assessment or adjustment is required. Tell us about the situation and we can help identify the most appropriate next step.
